The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
CHINESE" WALKER.
How Adventurous American Mate Sup
pressed a Celestial Rebellion.


pressed Celestial Rebellion.
st. Louis Post Dispatch.
The role played bv an American in the recent
history OF China" Eaid Mr.. Henry j. Denison. of
TOXIC, Japan, has been generally overlooked
by people in this country, and the credit of his
achievements usually accorded to another man.
The name of Chinese Gordon is familiar to ALL
but the name of a greater than he. at least
CARDS China has never been adequately recog
nized About the year 1865 the great Tai Ping
rebellion broke out in China, and spread like
mandarins in the different districts endeavored
to put it down. but army after army routed,
cities were sacked, and tn ousanGs on thousands
died by the sword and by torture. Not even
the lndiaos crueli and ingenious
in their fortunes than the Chinese and the in
sureents put to death under fearful torments
thou sands of men in every captured city The
authorities lost all hearr, there seemed TO be
no one WI HON they could rely. A most pe-
cuilar and CHARACTERISTIC trait of the Chinese
character developed itself during the war Gen
eral after general would flee before the enemy
In the most pusillanimous manner. and then
commit suicide to escape punishment may
say In this connection that the Chinese
have less fear of death than any people in the
world, but dread pain, and will kill themselve
to escape the possibility of wound. In my
opinion 1t is this popularity that caused the
government to adopt laws infictine the death
penalty in the most cruel form. the authori-
ties at Pekln were at their wits end. 1t seemed
as If the empire was going to pieces and every
one was in despair city not far from the cap
ital was taken and. last resort, reward
would regain possession of it. 1t CHANGED
that an American baroue was waiting for a
cargo at Canton when this reward was offered
The second mate was a man named Walker
wild, fierce fellow OF strong character
and dauntless courage. but violent
lawless man. Despisiug the Chinese from the
bottom OF his heart. he thoueht he
saw a chance both to crafty his cupidity and
his love for adventure. He put himself in CON-
munication with the mandarin of Canton and
offered to raise a force and recapture the city if
his men would be allowed to retain half the capt
ured plunder IN addition to the reward. His
terms were agreed TO, and he once set about
recruiting mis- troops. Throughout the East
there is a large class of Europeans, who have
deserted their ships or otherwise become out
casts. who dwell among the natives, exceed them
In vice and ara generally the scum of creation.
Among these beach mbers,' as they are called,
W alker recruited his force. He managed to get
together body of about fifteen hundred men,
natives of all parts of Europe and America, and
to them he added several hundred
E Msays the fersest - race u Of the
Chinese troops. but marched against the city
with this small army. Without attempting
wall. Immediate success attended the assault,
the Chinese fed like sheep before the fierce
charge of the Europeans, and the town
captured. / say that the conduct of
Walkers men was much better than that of the
rebels They robbed and murdered right and
left and secured immense booty. The
authorities at Pekin, however. not in
cilned to look too closely into the means by
which they were delivered from the impending
danger. but paid the reward. and begged
Val ker to enter their service, to which he con
sented. From this time a complete change |
In the state of affairs took place Walker and |
mis- men marched through the country, aud after |
a battle or two it impossible to induce the |
rebels to stand against them. City after city |
was recaDtured. pillaged, and the garrison put |
to the sword. So great was the terror inspired |
by Walkers force that when the wild yell of his |
men was heard in the distance the native troops
crying out. The foreign devils are coming
would throw away their arms and seok safety in
ed
fore them, the rebellion began rapidly to lose
and its complete suppression seemed
but matter of time. But the danger from
the insuI gents grew less threatening the author
ties began to pay more attention the com
plants of the peaceful inhabitants. who had
been robbed and murdered right and LETT by
Walkers men. Neither he nor his army cared
Az thing for the Chinese government and were
1t war only for purposes of plumber 1t can
therefore be imagined that they were little likely
TO make fine distinctions between the loyal
Ter anyone who possessed portable prog
'rty of kind Finally matters visit
10 far that Walker stormed and sacked civ |
INTO which the rebels had never entered This
'oused the Chinese to action, but they possessed |
10 force that could stand for instant against
Walkers men. They therefore solved the diff
uty in a truly Oriental manner L heavy
tribe was offered Portuguese belonging to
Walkers army if he would put the leader out OF
he way. This was accepted. and in the next
'attle Walker fell. shot through the back. De-
Don passed out of existence organized
lody. No sooner, however. was Walker out of
he way than the beilion again began to grow
a strength. and within s short time had re-
aimed a great part of its lost territory In this
Extremity Chinese Gordon sent for and the
history of his conQuests is we'll known. But he
ever had the difficulties to contend with that
alker was called upon to overcome, and all ac-
TAINTED with the circums tances will agree that
be achievements of the latter far xceed those
the former.